354
INDEX.
Bodsbeck, the Brownie of: the last in Ettrick Forest—vanished when offered payment; in Hogg’s tale an exiled Cameronian assumes the character, 251
Boggart, see Barguest
Bogles, the Ettrick Shepherd on, 246; considered ministers of retribution, 247; one driven away in Yorkshire—another protects widow at Hurst, ib.—in form of white goose at Berry Well, 328
Boguest, see Barguest
Book and Key used by mesmerists to determine stronger will, 236
Border Castles: their foundation stones bathed with human blood, 256
Borrowing Days: last three of March, 94; augury of coming seasons from, ib.; old rhymes, 95; termed “blind days” in Devonshire—then unlucky to sow, ib.; first three days of February in Highlands, ib.—good prognostic if stormy, ib.
Boscastle, see Bottreaux
Bottreaux, or Boscastle: its bells foundered in ship at sea, still heard by Cornish fishermen, 122
Bottree, bore-tree, see Elder
Bovey Tracey, churchyard long disused, lest Devil should seize the first body buried, 121; witch overlooking pigs at, 182
Bowes Moor, story of the robber and the Hand of Glory at inn on, 241
Boy, see Kadiant Boy
Bracken abhorred by witches; the marks in the stalk, and divining by them, 226
Brag, see Picktree Brag
Brand’s Popular Antiquities, quoted on ancient Gothic sword dances, 70; on Roman new years’ customs, 74 ; on borrowing days, 95
Braize, or brooze, running the: the race home after a Northumberland wedding, 37
Bramley, keeping St. Mark’s watch at, 51
Brancepeth, the Boar or Brawn of, destroyed by Hodge of Ferry, 285
Bread marked with cross by housewives, 258
Bride, see Marriage
Brimstone in beds, a charm for cramp, 155
Brittany, recent idol worship and offerings in, 2
Bromfield: Barring-out master of free schools on Fastings Even—sports and local verses, 78–79; a dragon had its den there in 1344, 298—overcome by incantations of Arab physician—a great treasure hid in its den, 299
Bromfield (Rev. R. O.) on divination by Bible and Key at Sprouston, 232–3
Broom: unlucky to take it into a house in May, 50—especially baleful if used for sweeping in May, ib.—loved by witches, 226; twig, a charm for wounds (Germany), 159
Brownies: The Ettrick Shepherd on their character, 246; constituted guardians of hidden treasures, 248; doomed for their sins to work—not to receive wages—allowed cakes and cream, ib.—Border phrase, “There’s a piece wad please a Brownie,” ib.; disappear when offered new clothing, 249; of Cranshaws offended by remarks on his work, 250—and of Bodsbeck by payment, 251
Brown man of the Muirs: met by two youths on Elsdon Moors, 251
